[Ironbarr]

In the thread "Break Free CLP", http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=379266#post379266 - Zip06 asked if a lithium based lube might be considered over Break Free CLP for firearms service. Most responses chose CLP. I use CLP extensively, but I have this nagging question (and asked it in the thread above) - "Since Break Free dries, how well/long can I shoot before I should stop and lube up???".

JohnKSa replied, providing the attributes of CLP but didn't address my question. Perhaps my semantics didn't clarify my question; I do tend to screw up a good thought when writing it down.

Anyway, I thought it better as a poll (which might bring a bevy of info). This is the reason for the separate thread. I will add that I'm not looking at long term storage. I am looking at the time between clean/lube (CLP) and the next event that results in firing, whether a range session or a CCW event, etc. I know there are variables, but I'd like to know that I can clean/lube my gun and be comfortable that a reasonable time may pass without having to do it again "in case I need it today".

So here's the poll question...

After a reasonable clean & lube on an semiauto firearm (1911, Makarov and AR in my case), how long can I believe that the lube "coating" will last to allow at least one full mag to be fired - Days, weeks, months?

-Andy

[LIProgun]

I've shot safe queens that had been put into storage for 6 months or more (even over 1 year) after cleaning and lubing with BreakFree. Without adding lube, these semi-autos performed fine. I can recall several times purposely not adding lube (though, I kept it handy just in case) just to see how they'd work. I recall one particular example of an M1 Carbine that hadn't been fired in a couple of years that worked just fine for a couple of hundred rounds before I stopped shooting it.

FWIW, I've never found that BreakFree CLP really dries completely, though some of the carrier does evaporate.

[Ironbarr]

Thanks for the reply.

I, too, have experienced reasonably long terms between CLP lube and next firing. I carry a Makarov daily; I purposely set out to prove (or not) that I didn't have to "touch up" the lube every week or so because it was exposed to life's little burps. The last time I ranged it, it had been two months +/- a day or three. Both the Mak and my Chs. Daly 1911 (usually in the safe in summer) went through two full mags "out of the box" so to speak. I saw no reason to continue until stopped by some "event". I haven't yet put the AR to the test, but I'm now a bit over three months since range due to a blown-out May (another of life's "little" burps).

Any experience with the AR in this??

Again, thanks for the reply... seems to be a light response.

-Andy

[LIProgun]

I tend to shoot the AR "wet" but I've shot one that hadn't been relubed for a couple of months with no problems. The actual time could have been longer, but I tend to periodically add a drop or two of CLP to the bolt and carrier just to keep the AR action wet while in storage.

[Ironbarr]

ILIProgun,

I had my first open field AR firing today. It didn't sound like the "pop - pop" of TV/movie stuff... sounded like my 3030. After firing one round to ensure I was hitting paper (this at 50-yds), I then fired three rounds; #1 and 3 were four-inches apart, 2 & 3 were about one-inch apart. But it seems my red dot is about 11" over POA and a bit left. I'd started "dry" out of the safe - 3 months. But whether lube, bad top round, or mag, the first round was caught by the bolt. After clearing I stripped and lubed bolt - then did those four rounds without incident.

I need to do a bona fide outdoor range zero - both iron and red dot.

My AR is new(ish) about 1-yr old but only about 200 rounds at indoor 25yds. Maybe if it were older & more experienced it would have seen enough lubing to not need as much (pores and all) - but that's just a guess.

So it seems the rule (for a while at least) is pistol damp/dry - AR wet.

Thanks.

-Andy

[P95Carry]

I like to think that a modest CLP lube will last best where needed most ... in as much as ..... components in intimate contact .. slide/frame ..... revo internals etc .. will probably ''hold'' a molecularly operative lube film (at least) for very long periods.

Like with the AR tho .. there will probably always be some examples where a pre-shoot lube can be beneficial ... providing usually not done to excess .... gathering crud probs etc!

I have found too that my ''CLP semi-soaked cloth'' ... which I use for outside surface wipe down (blued of course primarily) ..... provides a film of great durability and protection, until significant hand contact and then a rewipe is advisable. A good treatment with auto wax in fact, following good prep'ing is even better for externals .. IMO.

[Ironbarr]

Glad you chimed in - good info.

I've been wondering just how to handle external surfaces - didn't know to "gentle wipe" (this black oxide??), leave alone, or what. Not sure I'd use auto wax though, but I'm just an AR tyro - it might just be "sliced bread".

Thanks for your input.

-Andy

[P95Carry]

Re externals .... and blued at that (or even poorly Parkerized) .... the prerequisite i feel is a barrier .... something that keeps any moisture and or skin ''acids'' off the metal. Bluing is after all only a ''controlled'' form of rust anyways!

If externals are scrupulously degreased .. and clean ... then auto wax applied and allowed to firm a little will, when lightly buffed ... not only give a good ''sheen'' but, repell moisture (rain for example) and give quite good protection against skin ''acids'' ... sweat etc. For some while at least.

I'd say this was more a rifleman's approach ... longarms anyways, tho ...... a blued revo will also benefit I'd reckon ... have done this on my M27-2 Smith.

Anyways if not wax ... then an ''oil'' film is good - CLP for instance..... in fact ''Rig'' gun grease is even longer lasting for externals IMO.

[Ironbarr]

Roger that.

Again - thanks... need all the help I can get.

The next subject will be slings when I get to check out the threads. Have the standard two point. Wonder why they didn't configure ARs with top swivel points - wouldn't have to go through hoops trying to get a carry sling that'd hold the AR upright AND allow use as a steadying device.

But then there'd be no after-market, huh?